The AMS Specialty Crops Program (SCP) offers a variety of auditing services to help companies meet the requirements of their customers or to differentiate their products in the marketplace through independent, third-party audits by USDA’s globally recognized audit team. Through these voluntary, user-fee services, AMS audits against established standards often set by a company, by industry, or by government regulations.

Audit services include:

• Dairy Plant Survey Program
• Equipment Review - Dairy, and Meat and Poultry

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) purchases a variety of domestically produced and processed commodity food products, through a competitive process among approved vendors. These purchases made by the AMS Commodity Procurement Program (CP) support American agriculture by encouraging the consumption of domestic foods.

Program Updates

The FY 2025 grant application period is open. Applications are due on June 27, 2025. For any questions related to RFSP, contact IPPGrants@usda.gov.

Upland Cotton Economic Adjustment Assistance for Textile Mills

The Food Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Act) initiates a program whereby payments will be made to eligible participants. The Regulations and Agreement (enclosed) set forth the terms and conditions under which the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) will make payments.  

What are my requirements for administering my grant?

You must follow the requirements provided in your Notice of Award, which refers to your grant’s General Terms and Conditions.  You can find links to each active fiscal year at the Grants Terms and Conditions page.

How do I request a payment request?

You must complete and submit the following documentation:

USDA recognizes the fundamental role small and mid-size meat processors play in the meat supply chains. In alignment with various USDA meat initiatives resources from two AMS cooperative agreements are provided below to support small and mid-size processors.

Empowering meat and poultry processors in the Upper Midwest

• Organic Training Page - The National Organic Program provides a wide range of free training and outreach materials for organic farms, businesses, and organic certification agencies. 
• FGISonline

FGIS Training

• E-Learning and Training
• Video Library

eBooks

Grain Grading Primer

• Animal Handling & Welfare
• Business Listings & Directories
• Dynamic Information Visualization Tools
• Infographics
• Microbiological Data Program
• Microbiological Testing of AMS Purchased Meat, Poultry and Egg Commodities
• Milk Marketing Order Statistics

This table summarizes the submission and approval status of State and Tribal hemp production plans. Once a plan is formally submitted, USDA has 60 days to approve or disapprove the plan. Once a plan is approved by USDA, it remains in effect unless suspended or revoked by USDA pursuant to the procedures described in the Final Rule, or unless the State or Tribe revises their plan and resubmits it for USDA approval.  

Status Descriptors